- In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
- In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.
- 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
- 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
- 1.8 million veterans are women.
- 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
- 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
- 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
- 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
- 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11th not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
I come from a family of veterans. My Dad is a retired U.S. Naval aviator, my husband is retired U.S. Naval Reserves, and our son is a U.S. Marine Corps officer. My husband's Dad served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. I spent the first 18 years moving to various duty stations with my family across the US and overseas. It was an interesting life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My husand and I live presently in a large "Navy town", and Florida has a large active-duty and retired military veteran population.
My friend Kathryn Sneed has a wonderful Christian Blog for Military Wives -
The following is an excerpt from two of her posts regarding military life...
Three things Kathryn likes about being a military wife:
2. Being patriotic and proudI know that you do not have to be a military wife to be patriotic and proud, but becoming a military wife has made so much more in tune to what people have done for our country past and present. It is an amazing thing.
3. Meeting lots of new friends You cannot beat the wonderful friends you make each time you move. Yes, eventually you will have to move away from them, but hopefully these friends are for life, and have helped you somehow along the way. I am so grateful for the few good friends God has brought into my life since being stationed here, it really amazes me! The traveling definitely makes things interesting and keeps you on your toes! What better way to see the world and other places you have not been?
Three things that are tough about being a military wife:
1. Deployments
These are I think the number one reason to dislike being a military wife. Nobody likes deployments, worrying about our husbands and being lonely at home, but we all have to go through with them.
Ways to Deal: As a lot of people said in their posts yesterday, deployments are a way to help us grow. Ways to deal are to seek support of others: from God, friends, and church. It's still not easy, but it definitely helps to have support!
2. Being Away From Friends and Family
Here is on that has been tough for me. I really miss being away from friends and family. I miss Florida so much, and get sad when I see people on Facebook, who get to go to Florida all the time. I know it's part of the military life, but that still does not make it easy.
Ways to Deal: I don't think anything can make up for your own friends and family, but making new friends where you are stationed helps a lot. Reach out to others, volunteer, find military wives groups. Talk to God. Tell Him you are lonely and remember He is always with you.
3. Work Schedule
My husband is on call a lot, and that means he can get called in at anytime day or night. We have been in the middle of church and had to leave, and he almost missed Easter Sunday as well. It can be very frustrating.
Ways to Deal: Have a good attitude and find other stuff to do do keep busy if he has to work.
Ways to Deal: As a lot of people said in their posts yesterday, deployments are a way to help us grow. Ways to deal are to seek support of others: from God, friends, and church. It's still not easy, but it definitely helps to have support!
2. Being Away From Friends and Family
Here is on that has been tough for me. I really miss being away from friends and family. I miss Florida so much, and get sad when I see people on Facebook, who get to go to Florida all the time. I know it's part of the military life, but that still does not make it easy.
Ways to Deal: I don't think anything can make up for your own friends and family, but making new friends where you are stationed helps a lot. Reach out to others, volunteer, find military wives groups. Talk to God. Tell Him you are lonely and remember He is always with you.
3. Work Schedule
My husband is on call a lot, and that means he can get called in at anytime day or night. We have been in the middle of church and had to leave, and he almost missed Easter Sunday as well. It can be very frustrating.
Ways to Deal: Have a good attitude and find other stuff to do do keep busy if he has to work.
If you are a military wife, make it a point to visit Kathryn's Blog regularly -
Some other great sites to visit are:
Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
Impressive statistics! God bless our veterans!
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